2009-03-19
Efforts are currently underway in Congress to create a new blood
cancer research program within the Department of Defense (DoD). In the
House, Representatives Lois Capps (D-CA) and John Shimkus (R-IL) are
leading an effort to ask their colleagues in the House to support establishing a peer-reviewed blood cancer research program at DoD.
The DoD cancer research program funded a leukemia project from 2001
to 2006, but the program was eliminated in 2007. The DoD research
programs have been praised by researchers, advocates, and Congress for
the outstanding research they have supported and their contribution to
a stronger understanding of, and improved treatment for, a wide range
of cancers, including blood cancers. The current effort in Congress
seeks to establish a $25 million peer reviewed research program within
DoD for all forms of blood cancers.
Several blood cancers, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia,
non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, have been
determined by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to be associated with
exposure to chemical and biological agents during World War II,
Vietnam, and the two Gulf Wars. The IOM conclusion underscores the need
to begin a special research program that is responsive to the health
care needs of the military personnel and veterans.
ASH supports the re-establishment of a DoD blood cancer research program. The Society encourages members to visit the ASH Advocacy Center to contact their representatives in support of establishing a program and funding for blood cancer research at DoD.
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